Prototyping Services

Do you need help with concept development, CAD, Prototyping, Manufacturing, or Marketing?

Prototyping Services

AEDC-MS partners with the Innovation Hub to help inventors, entrepreneurs and manufacturers design, prototype, build, test and deliver new products. Together we have completed successful projects with a variety of companies and inventors, and we work closely with some of Arkansas’s best designers and engineers to meet the needs of our clients. Through the joint collaboration we are able to guide clients from product idea to commercialization.

Our Process

We receive a request for direct prototyping services.

We arrange a meeting with the client to establish the needs and objectives.

Based on the idea for a product, we will write a estimated quote/proposal.

If the client agrees to the quote, they’ll submit a written approval.

As the project moves forward we keep the client informed of the progress (The client can visit us at the Hub to watch a print or the latest design in SolidWorks, for example.)

We follow up to ensure complete satisfaction.

Micromanufacturing

Manufacturing uses smart tools like CNC Mills, Injection Molding, and Laser Cutters, to automate and multiply the manufacturing process. Mass manufacturing is designed to create tens of thousands of a product.

But, what if you only need a hundred or so items to launch your business? That’s “micromanufacturing“, it uses many of the same automated tools as big industry, on a smaller scale. CNC Mills, Laser Cutters, and the injection molding processes are performed by 3D Printers. It uses fewer resources more efficiently and lets you decide how much product you need, when you need it. It’s a combination of old world craftsmanship and 21st Century technologies.

Phil Plyler serves as Manager of Client Services at Arkansas Economic Development Commission Manufacturing Solutions. Phil has over 25 years of extensive experience in several industries including automotive, medical equipment, building materials, steel pipe manufacturing and testing. He previously held engineering and management positions in R&D, product development, engineering, quality systems, product testing, operations and continuous improvement.

Prior to joining AEDC, Phil worked with major manufacturers including Texas Instruments, Michelin and Hill-Rom. He has also been a member of a consulting engineering firm, and owned and operated a small business.

Phil is trained on the Toyota Production Systems (Lean). He led various programs including product development teams that implemented TPS/Continuous Improvement/Lean methodology into the development of new products, which involved concurrent engineering with rapid development of products while simultaneously developing manufacturing cells. Phil was also instrumental in introducing JIT and SPC into production areas, and he developed and taught courses on process improvement and product uniformity. Phil initiated and implemented a rapid prototype system that reduced turnaround times for submissions to OEM customers by over one-third. He also led teams through value stream mapping that transformed a custom order process resulting in shorter lead times, better communications with internal and external customers, and reduction of scrap rates. He has been awarded multiple patents. Phil holds a BS Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Arkansas.